Eva Hesse documentary a must-see

Maynard’s Fine Arts Theatre recently hosted a short run of the documentary “Eva Hesse” by Marcie Begleiter, a work as humane and complex as the sculptor herself. Hesse’s childhood and relationships with other artists, including Sol LeWitt, are touchingly brought into focus. Her enormous creative energy and prescient intellect will be new to many viewers, but it’s Hesse’s work that takes center stage. Haunting, gorgeous, personal, and raw, it has inspired two generations of sculptors since Hesse’s death and will influence many more. An appraisal of her oeuvre that is overdue and welcome, this is a must-see.

http://www.evahessedoc.com/

Freedom Baird’s blue tree

Sculptor Freedom Baird‘s decision to decorate trees was not undertaken lightly—but even as decoration, her sculpture illuminates the growth and life of trees. Blue on one side and mirrored on the other, her work does not blend but rather reflects, contrasts and compliments the growth of branches (above).

Pictured is her new piece at ArtSpace Maynard in Maynard, Massachusetts. Up through October 15th.

http://www.artspacemaynard.com/exhibit-of-outdoor-sculpture/

Art New England Article

ArtNewEngland_Carolyn Wirth

Tomorrow: Cristina Córdova

Free Public Lecture with Visiting Artist
Cristina Córdova
Saturday, April 23, 2016
5:00pm-6:00 pm
Location: Harvard Ed Portal, 224 Western Ave, Allston, MA 02134
Free and open to the public.

Join us for an evening lecture with internationally acclaimed sculptor Cristina Córdova. Córdova, who was recently named a 2015 United States Artists Fellow through the American Craft Council, will lead us into a deeper technical and intuitive understanding of achieving the human form in clay.
Seats are limited – RSVP for the lecture to Kathy King at kking@fas.harvard.edu.

Harriet’s Puck

Harriet Hosmer, the 19th century’s premier American female sculptor, created many popular pieces, but everyone’s favorite was “Puck,” shown here at the Addison Gallery of American Art.  Carved in flawless white marble by the artisans in Hosmer’s Rome Studio, Puck seems sedate by today’s standards, but he was a naughty Victorian indeed. His fetching wings are a bat’s, he sits on a group of poison toadstools, his chubby right fist grasps a beetle (to pelt an unsuspecting dryad?), and his upraised big toe can be seen as—what?

Puck—or “my son,” as Hosmer called him—was an instant success with the aristocracy, including Albert Edward, the Prince of Wales and the crown princess of Germany, who, upon seeing the work, remarked, “Oh, Miss Hosmer, you have such talent for toes!”

Laurie’s House

Laurie Simmons has a retrospective at Andover’s Addison Gallery this month. Her early dollhouse photographs comprise “In And Around the House,” which blends seamlessly with a companion show, the beautifully curated “Walls and Beams, Roofs and Dreams: Images of Home.” What would the terminally isolated dolls of her iconic 1970s work do in the colorful Kaleidoscope house (above) Simmons designed in 2001 with Peter Wheelwright? Through April 17.

Addison Gallery

Susan Alport’s mysterious balance

Susan Alport’s “Juxtaposed” is in its final week at Boston’s Kingston Gallery (450 Harrison / Thayer Street in SOWA). Alport’s installation combines her own photographs, found artifacts, and the remnants of her extensive reading in a way that invites viewers to create their own meaning. Followers of her work will recognize recurring symbols—for example, the white gloves used to handle objects in a museum’s  collection and a Brownie camera—which offer delicate, unspoken invitations.

http://kingstongallery.com/exhibitions/2016/march-susan-alport-juxstaposed.php

6 Bridges Reception Thursday

Join me for “Fanfare” Thursday night at 6 Bridges Gallery, Maynard. I’ll be accepting the grant award on behalf of Fruitlands Museum, in recognition of my soon-to-be residency:

http://www.artfixdaily.com/artwire/release/7138-fruitlands-museum-announces-2016-artist-in-residence-carolyn-wirt

 

Fanfare for The Arts; Maynard Cultural Council 2016 Awards, Thursday, March 24^th, 2016, 7pm – 9pm

6 Bridges Gallery, 77 Main Street, Maynard, MA

The council invites all supporters of the arts, mavens of culture, enthusiasts of all things expressive, lovers of life, denizens of downtown, and thrill-seekers of all stripes to help them toast and applaud the recipients of this year’s grants. The Council wishes to alert prospective revelers that the evening may include great small bursts of live music, flashes of light and photography and calls for ‘stepping into the booth’ in addition to various refreshments and provisions from local victualers and assorted sources. Proper and/or inspired dress is encouraged and will be rewarded.

Alicia Dwyer’s Battle Dresses

Alicia Dwyer crafts metal exoskeletons in dress form–a handy thing for riding the subway at rush hour, or otherwise enduring the slings and arrows of everyday life. Her new show is now up at ArtSpace Maynard and also features paintings of floating dresses animated solely by air.

photos courtesy http://adwyerstudio.com/

artspacemaynard.com

 

Rosalyn Drexler

The multifaceted Rosalyn Drexler, whose astounding retrospective is now at The Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University, was originally a sculptor. Her first solo show, at New York’s Reuben Gallery, featured eighty-four sculptures made from scavenged materials, plaster, and poured lead. Seen here are: Samantha, Fat Lady, White Winged Victory, Pink Winged Victory, Untitled, Balzac, and Home Sweet Home, all made between 1958 and 1961. She is now best known for her Pop art painting, but she also wrote an array of popular fiction. Her work today seems timeless—fresh and fearless—and from this vantage point her influence can clearly be seen in the work of younger male artists like Robert Longo. The retrospective takes up the entire museum, and is worth spending the day with.

ROSALYN DREXLER: WHO DOES SHE THINK SHE IS?
Gerald S. and Sandra Fineberg + Lower Rose Galleries
February 12 – June 5, 2016